Alexandra Monaghan represents client acquitted on grounds of insanity.

Alexandra Monaghan, instructed by Joanna Ripley of JSP, represented Mr C from the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing, through to the trial where he was ultimately acquitted.

Mr C was charged with a sexual assault committed whilst he was under Section in a secure mental health hospital.

Mr C relied on the unusual and complex defence of insanity.

The Crown challenged the findings of the defence experts. Alexandra relied on the evidence of two live psychiatric experts instructed by the defence. The Crown instructed and abandoned a psychiatric expert, however, Alexandra was able to use the prosecution report as part of the defence case. The case also required the very careful handling of bad character evidence relating to a previous offence committed while Mr C was suffering from a potential further mental health crisis.

The case involved complex legal directions to the jury which ultimately resulted in a finding from the jury of not guilty by reason of insanity.